Real Madrid suffered one of their most shocking defeats in recent UEFA Champions League history on Tuesday, falling 3-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The dismal performance left fans wondering: when was the last time the Spanish giants were eliminated in the quarterfinals of Europe’s premier competition?
Following a disappointing 2-1 loss to Valencia over the weekend, Real Madrid traveled to London looking to bounce back and secure a positive result ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. However, the Gunners dominated from start to finish, handing Los Blancos one of their worst defeats in the competition’s history.
After a first half in which Thibaut Courtois kept Real Madrid afloat with several key saves, the floodgates opened in the second half. Declan Rice stunned the visitors with two sensational free-kick goals, and Mikel Merino capped off the 3-0 scoreline with a well-timed finish.
When was the last time Real Madrid were knocked out in the Champions League quarterfinals?
You have to go back to the 2003-04 season to find the last time Real Madrid were eliminated in a two-legged Champions League quarterfinal. That year, a Galacticos-led side was knocked out by AS Monaco, who would go on to reach the final.
Madrid won the first leg 4-2 at home and looked set to advance, but Monaco pulled off a stunning 3-1 comeback at the Stade Louis II. With the aggregate tied 5-5, Monaco advanced on away goals—under a rule that is now abolished.
see also
Not the first time: The heavy defeats Real Madrid has suffered in Champions League knockout stages
That loss marked a turning point. Since then, Real Madrid have reached the quarterfinals 12 times and progressed in every single one. This season marks their fifth consecutive appearance in the quarterfinals—and now they’re at risk of seeing that impressive streak come to an end.
The second leg is set for Wednesday, April 16, at the Santiago Bernabeu. Down 3-0 on aggregate, Real Madrid will need a historic performance to overturn the deficit and avoid a rare early exit from the tournament.
